Pipe clamp



1.. L. BROWN.'

PIPE CLAMP. APPLICATION FILEDQMAYIS. 1922.

Patented 0%. 3, 1922.

m1 m a Patented Oct. 3, 1922.

Earl

i ATii iif l't t J OSEPI-I. L. BRONN, O1? ALPINE, TEXAS.

PIPE CLAMP.

Application filed May 15,

T 0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Josnrrr L. BROWN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Alpine, in the county of Brewster and State of Texas, have invented certain new and use ful Improvements in Pipe Clamps, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to improvements in pipe clamps and more particularly to a pipe clamp for use upon decks of drilling rigs for holding the casing in the desired position.

An important object of the invention is to provide a device of this character, the clamping action of which is distributed about the casing in a manner that prevents collapsing thereof by the clamps.

A further object of the invention is to provide means whereby the rotation of the casing when gripped by the clamps is prevented.

A. further object of the invention is to provide a clamp, the aws of which are pro vided with gripping teeth so constructed that not only is rotation of the casing prevented, but the teeth will clear themselves from any cuttings gathered from the pipe in gripping the same.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which may be controlled by the foot in order that the hands of the operator may be left free to engage a control or guy-rope or the control of a hoisting engine.

These and other objects I attain by the arrangement shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention and wherein like reference characters designate like parts throughout.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pipe clamp constructed in accordance with my invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view therethrough Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed sectional view showing one man'ner of preventing movement of the stationary jaws;

Figure 4 is a front elevation of the movable jaw; and

Figures 5 and 6 are front elevations of the stationary jaws.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 10 indicates a plu- 1922. Serial No. 561,098.

rality of arcuately curved frame members, each of which is provided upon its ends with outwardly directed flanges ,11. The numerals 13, 14 and 15 designate clamping jaws, the clamping jaws 13 and 14; being hereinafter referred to as stationary clamping aws and the clamping aw 15 as a shift able clamping jaw. The clamping jaws 18 and 14 are clamped intermediate the flanges of the adjacent frame sections 10 by means of bolts 12. By loosening these bolts these jaws may be adjusted to any desired position and such positioning, as will herein after more fully appear, will permit accommodation of varying sizes ofpipe by these aws.

The shiftable jaw 15 is pivoted intermediate the flanges 11 of the adjacent sections 10 by means of a pivot bolt 17, which bolt forms a mounting for a yoke 18 straddling the shiftable jaw 15. This jaw is provided with a foot treadle tail piece 15" and between this foot treadle and the yoke 18 a tension spring 19 is connected, tending to force the jaw 15 toward the aws 13 and 14 and accordingly to force a piece of pipe extending between the jaws 13 and 14 into engagement with these jaws.

Each of the jaws 13, 141- and 15 has its gripping face 20 in the form of a cam curved so that by adjusting the jaws about the pivots thereof the adjacent faces thereof may be spaced apart the desired distance. These adjacent faces are provided upon their surfaces with teeth 21 for gripping the pipe, the teeth of the stationary jaws 13 and 14 being angularly disposed and the teeth of the shiftable jaw 15 being disposed transversely of the jaw. In providing the jaws 13 and 14 with the angular teeth these are oppositely angled.

In the use of my device when it is desired to clamp the casing by the use of the clamp, one of the sections 10 may be removed and the device reassembled about the casing upon the deck of the rig or upon the ground, as the case may be. The spring 19 by its engagement with the shiftable aw will force the shiftable jaw into engagement with the casing and accordingly force the casing into engagement with the jaws 13 and 14. A three point grip being provided, collapsing of the casing is prevented, this collapsing often occurring where the casing is gripped upon opposite sides.

When it is desired to shift the casing through the clamp it may be readily disengage-d by placing the foot upon the treadle and withdrawing the shiftable jaw 15 from the casing. At this time the casing may be raised or lowered for any engage ment of the jaws therewith, being held out of engagement with the jaws l3 and 1%- by means of a guy rope or the like if so desired.

lVhile the clamping engagement of the bolts through the medium or the flanges 11 against the stationary jaws l3 and 14c will ordinarily be sufficient to prevent shifting of these jaws, this clamping action may be further reinforced by placing between the. tail portions 252, of these stationary jaws and the deck 23 of the rig a wedge 24-. This will effectually prevent opening of the aws due to engagement thereof by the pipe, and movement of the jaws to their closed position will of course be prevented by the pipe itself.

From the foregoing it is believed to be. obvious that a clamping device constructed in accordance with my invention will effectually prevent rotation of the pipe since the opposite inclination of the teeth of the stationary aws will tend to rotate the pipe in opposite directions, thereby holding it stay and by reason of the fact that the 'ision of the foot operated treadle upon the shiftable jaw permits the operator to have his hands free to control the movement of the pipe through the clamp. It will furthermore be obvious that the construction hereinbefore set forth is capable of some change and modification. without materially departing from the spirit of my invention and l accordingly do not limit myself thereto except as hereinafter claimed.

li hat is claimed 1s 1-- l. in a pipe clamp, three concentered pivoted clamping aws, means for securlng two of the jaws in adjusted positions upon the pivots thereof, and means yieldably forcing the third jaw into engagement with the named jaws.

2. In a pipe clamp, three concentered pivoted clamping aws, means for securing two of the jaws in adjusted positions upon the pivots thereof, and means yieldably forcing the third jaw into engagement with the first named jaws, the first named jaws being provided upon the gripping faces thereof with oppositely inclined teeth.

In a pipe clamp, three concentered pivoted clamping jaws, means for securing two of the jaws in adjusted positions upon the pivots thereof, means yieldably forcing the third jaw into engagement with the first named jaws, the first named jaws being provided upon the gripping faces thereof with oppositely inclined teeth, and a foot treadle for withdrawing said third jaw against the action of said means.

4. In a pipe clamp, a elastic yoke, the sections of which are arcurate in formation and provided upon the extremities thereof with outwardly directed flanges, concentered clamping jaws pivotally mounted intermediate the flanges of said sections, each having a cam gripping face provided with gripping teeth, one of said jaws having a tail piece forming a foot treadle and having means engaged with said tail piece normally urging the jaw toward the common center of the jaws, the teeth of the last named jaw extending transversely of the jaw and the teeth of the remaining jaws being inclined, the teeth of one jaw being inclined oppositely to the teeth of the next adjacent jaw, and means for holding the last named jaws in adjusted positions.

in testimony whereof I hereunto affix my signature.

JOSEPH L. BROWN. 

